IndyCar says the fact that an aeroscreen is to be tested at Phoenix next month doesn't necessarily mean it will be used in competition in 2018 - if at all.

The aeroscreen has been extensively tested on a simulator and it will be tried on track for the first time as part of IndyCar's two-day open test on February 9-10 - or the rookie day that immediately precedes it.

However, IndyCar president of competition and operations Jay Frye says there is no rush to reach a conclusion and it is not definite that the aeroscreen will get the green light.

He told Autosport: "It's still somewhat debatable whether it will definitely be used in the series or not, but it's something we're working towards.

"Then we all decide collectively whether we go forward with it or not or investigate a different solution."

Regarding the date or venue of the aeroscreen's competition introduction - should the teams and drivers agree to it - Frye said it was "too early to tell."

"If we put it on and it wins universal approval, then who knows?" he added.

"It's a step-by-step process and I don't want to speculate on when/where/if it gets introduced until we can tell you something definite.

"If it checks all the boxes, we will start thinking in terms of cost, inventory, time-frame.

"The 2018 universal aerokit has been designed with a potential aeroscreen application in mind, so that side of it isn't an issue.

"But it will still take time to retrofit aeroscreens to 24-26 cars.

"You're at the mercy of others: the vendor who builds the screen, the vendor who builds the pieces that attach the screen to the car, and Dallara themselves. Is there time to fit these screens during a busy season?"

Frye said the practicalities and logistics of the initial test were being verified this weekend.

"We've got the rookie test day before the two open test days," he said, "and we've got the Sunday if necessary... although we shouldn't need to use that.

"We're probably going to run a couple of hours out there - maybe one hour in daylight, one in the evening, because obviously we do both each season, and so we do need to get feedback on both.

"We'll have it on at least one car at Phoenix. We've had a driver's feedback in a simulator - Gabby Chaves has done good work for us there.

"But we still haven't had feedback on track and that will be a big difference, and I also want it to be a veteran who runs it."

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